CFI Tampa

CFI Supports Prisoners with the Freethought Books Project

December 9, 2013

Started in 2005, the Freethought Books Project
was created by Leslie Zukor, then a student at Reed College and founder of
Reed Secular Alliance, as a book drive to send freethought books—books
concerning skepticism, atheism, and the critical examination of religion—to
prisoners. The project was, as it continues to be, a response to the abundant
religious material and proselytizing found in the American prison system, and
aims to provide an educational alternative for secular humanist, non-religious,
and skeptical prisoners.

The project was
independently run and funded by Leslie and her fellow coordinators until 2013,
when she asked if the Center for Inquiry would take over.

We’re
proud to announce that the Freethought Books Project is now part of CFI.

Why send books to
freethinking prisoners?Prison can be a lonely place for a freethinker. Many prisoners
who have written to us express relief just at the fact that the Freethought
Books Project exists. These individuals want access to books and ideas based in
rationality, science, and skepticism—not religious dogma.

Here’s what one individual
said about the project:

I can’t tell you how
thrilled I was to receive your kind package containing a number of freethought
books. It is also important for you to know how extremely valuable your service
is to people in my situation, for currently
you represent the only source of distribution for such material.
And for that you deserve much praise. You most certainly have found a gaping
niche and are filling it admirably.

Although other programs
exist that send books to prisoners, the Freethought Books Project is the only
one focusing exclusively on sending secular and skeptical materials.

How does the
Freethought Books Project work?We provide two main services—free books, and a pen pal program.

The pen pal program is
currently operated via existing CFI branches. CFI–Northeast Ohio, CFI–Portland,
and CFI–Western New York are coordinating volunteers who will be paired with
pen pals. If you’re interested in getting involved, email freethoughtbooks@centerforinquiry.net so we can
connect you with a coordinator.

The books program is our
primary service. Prisoners are invited to request books by mail, including
specific books of interest to them. We solicit donations from publishers and
individuals, and send books relevant to their interests.

How can you support
the project?

Our greatest need is
books! You can purchase books from a dedicated Amazon Wish List and
they will be sent directly to CFI.

“I thank you again for
your infusion of sense into an environment that is, at best, utterly nonsensical.
It is heartening to see an alternative point of view represented in such a
place and the books you’ve sent will be read and re-read many times over, so
once again—many thanks.”

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The Center for
Inquiry (CFI) is a nonprofit educational, advocacy, and research organization
headquartered in Amherst, New York, with executive offices in Washington, D.C.
It is also home to both the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and the Council for
Secular Humanism. The mission of CFI is to foster a secular society based on
science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. CFI’s web address is www.centerforinquiry.net.